need some help - first steps in becoming an electrician

[alexRomanian]

Hi
I read some threads about going to the college instead of 5 weeks courses. But (big BUT here), I'm 34, I work as a driver now, the college courses starts in september, I really want to do this courses as fast as possible, full time ( I will quit my driving job).
I have no experience at all in electrical related jobs but I am willing to learn.
I live in East London, Walthamstow E17.

Now, what options do I have ? What I should do the next day or week?

Regards, Alex

 

[PEM]

Alex, I presume your looking at purely domestic work?
If you want a quick fix with limited days you could try BPec defined scope (@ 5 days), 2382 (3 days), 2392 (3-4 days) all full time. Then if you passed admissions criteria and enrolement test/visit you can be fully registered Domestic Installer.
However pieces of paper are one thing practical experience and knowledge does take time. This is only one route there are many.
I hope this helps.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

There's one more every day on here recently. Is it the same person on the wind up?

Alex. stick to your driving job, you'll earn more money.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

'Willing to learn'?

Eh? You put that in there like it's a USP. It a BASIC PREREQUISITE!

 

[amlu]

17th edition course (3 days), get some tools, then find some job as a mate to get experience. stay there for a year or two, depending how fast you learn. go work for yourself after that.

 

[Octopus]

What you should also do is look on here at the large numbers of people thinking about doing this. Its staggering..... and there isn't the work to support us all.

Not being negative, simply realistic.... and you won't earn what the fast track providers claim either, not by a LONG way.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Alex, I presume your looking at purely domestic work?
If you want a quick fix with limited days you could try BPec defined scope (@ 5 days), 2382 (3 days), 2392 (3-4 days) all full time. Then if you passed admissions criteria and enrolement test/visit you can be fully registered Domestic Installer.
However pieces of paper are one thing practical experience and knowledge does take time. This is only one route there are many.
I hope this helps.

Are you two bezzers? How in the world is he going to succeed with NO electrical experience. The only thing he'll succeed at is loosing a lot of money very quickly!

 

[Octopus]

Are you two bezzers? How in the world is he going to succeed with NO electrical experience. The only thing he'll succeed at is loosing a lot of money very quickly!

And its not just the electrics you won't learn either, its all the other skills and knowledge about all the different construction techniques you'll come across too

 

[telectrix]

my advice is to look after your driving licence. i'd pack this electrical lark in tomorrow for a driving job.

 

[markc123]

These Electrical Trainee course's apparantly teach you absolutley everything...

...I wonder if they teach you how to restrain yourself from knocking seven bells out the plumber when he has his hourly cockup.

:38:

 

[alexRomanian]

my advice is to look after your driving licence. i'd pack this electrical lark in tomorrow for a driving job.

Well, lorry driving is not as simple as it sounds. I am doing this because i like driving. Even if i change my job, i will always have my driving licence and the other qualifications to come back. About the electrical job, 4 days ago i was needed an electrician to fix some plugs at my house. He came 2 days, only after9pm, wich means he was busy. Busy = money.
I don't trust course runners about the wage, i check job sites. 10-16 per hour is not bad. And I am at home every night, not sleeping in the lorry but with my wife in a proper bed.
I have electrician friends working in construction sites, and they are happy with their jobs.
So, this is what I would like to try.
Maybe because my first language is not english, you might understand me wrong.

 

[alexRomanian]

I am not necessarily looking for a Electrical Trainee course. I just want to know what options do I have. Is it Electrical Trainee course and the september college 2+ years course? Thats it?

 

[telectrix]

understand you perfectly. these short courses are aimed at getting you into a scheme e.g.niceic at a cost of around £400+ per year in order to be able to work in homes. you'd never get your foot through the door in industrial. then, as nobody wants to employ you, you'll need to go it alone. £16/hour is no good then, you need around £30/hour to cover niciec,van, tools, test gear, insurances, and wages on top.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Those positions you quote are right now being fought over by plenty of out of work experienced and qualified electricians. If you go ahead and part with your hard earned money for these waste of time fast track courses, you won't get a look in for these jobs.

Whilst you can learn to drive a lorry in a few weeks, you can't learn a complicated trade like electrical installation in a few weeks.

Why don't you and your like, listen to the advice you are asking for?

We might sound negative, but do your research and you will find it's a reality given the actual real world financial and otherwise, situations that you are in.

 

[guest119]

You missed the boat Alex, it sailed when you were 16yrs.
In the nicest possible way,meaning no offence, you need to get over it and move on.

Boydy